A roof for the walls

Israel and Palestine have been in war since the late 19th and early 20th century. The "iron walls" have been one of the best defense Israel have, but now Israel  have a roof for those walls. Israel's arms manufacturers have made a  defense system that shoots down missile using an intercepter. This 1 billion dollar program, helped out by the United States is called the iron dome. More than 3000 missiles have been by Hamas, and the iron dome have a success rate of over 86%. The iron dome is so practical because of it's size, cost, and portability. The Israeli's government claims that iron dome have save billions worth of damage.I believe  that this system might actually make the peace between Israel and Palestine even further away. Since the iron dome works so well, it  makes peace less urgent for Israel. Even though this gives Israel an advantage over Palestine or Hamas. It's not in my opinion any way shape or form a solution in the Israeli Palestinian war.

Why did the U.S. Help out I this program ?
What do you feel about the iron dome?
Do you think the iron dome is a solution in the conflict?

Heavy Fighting in Urban Libya

The Libyan Army has been facing off against several Islamist militias for control of a strategically important camp in Benghazi. So far about 130 people have been killed in these battles and the list of casualties is expected to increase.

          Frankly I believe all of this is pointless fighting and should end immediately. But radicals are called such for a reason and will not back down anytime soon. But hopefully the Libyan Army will maintain its position and not spark any large-scale fighting. My question for all readers is if you believe the fighting will escalate or calm down in the near future.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/26/us-libya-security-idUSKBN0IF0XD20141026

Britain ends combat role in Afghanistan

Summary

On October 26th 2014 the last UK base in Afghanistan was handed over to the Afghan security forces, ending British combat operations in the country. The union flag was lowered at Camp Bastion, while Camp Leatherneck the US base was also handed over to Afghan control. Prime Minister David Cameron said Britain would never forget those who had died serving their country. Mr. Cameron said "I made a commitment that I would get our Armed Forces out of Afghanistan by 2015 and today sees the end of combat operations in the country. After 9/11, US President George Bush had demanded that the Taliban hand over any leaders of al-Qaeda which is the group which later took responsibility for the attacks who are located in Afghanistan, but the Taliban did not immediately comply.

Analysis

I think it was a good idea to get the British troops out of Afghanistan. It was a good idea because there was a reason why Hamid Karzai dropped out of office. That is because Afghanistan is starting to fall apart and I don't think that the U.K. wants to be apart of it. The Afghan people are not listening to the leaders and government but instead they are listening to the different religion groups. These groups involve the Taliban and Al-Qaida.

Questions

1) What do you think the U.K. should of done? Were they right with their decision? Why or why not? 

2) How do you think the British troops feel about leaving Afghanistan? 

Link

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/26/us-afghanistan-troopwithdrawal-idUSKBN0IF06I20141026

North Korea's Leader

Kim Jong Un was spotted by South Korean spies from the National Intelligence Agency going in to a surgery for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. This is caused by pressure on a specific nerve. Which means, it is usually diagnosed to people that suffer from obesity. This comes back to Kim Jong Un's cheese addiction and diabetes. If he continues to gain weight in the way that he is, a worse diagnosis may be presented.

With no son to replace him it would go to someone else in his family. He has multiple males in his family that may battle over who will get the position. Therefore, we return to the question what will happen to North Korea if there is no leader?

Discussion Questions-

-If you were Kim Jong Un what would you do in this position?

-How do think that the citizens feel about this situation?

Article- http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/28/world/asia/kim-jong-un-cyst/ 

Severe Water Drought in São Paulo, Brazil

My article is about how São Paulo is suffering in a water drought. São Paulo is the seventh-largest metropolitan region in the world. This is the worst spring drought in history. Some sources estimate that São Paulo, which is home to 44 million people, could run dry in mid November. This is the first time in 80 years the dams have run dry. The biggest reservoir in the state, Cantareira, currently is holding 3.2 percent of it's normal load. One reason why we and the rest of the world cares so much is because we are dependent on it for things like coffee.

I feel awful for the residents because they are also limited on use of water. In the article it said that they are now having tap stations in different areas and the line is huge. We think the lunch lines are huge with only 10 kids in line trying to get food but imagine 70 people in line just trying to get water. The people are also forming an alliance for water. This alliance is called Brazil's NGO. This stands for Brazil's non government organizations.

What are some of the ways the residents could conserve water?

Would you be a part of this alliance against the government? Why or Why not?

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/10/24/3584331/sao-paolo-running-out-of-water/

Colombia Crime Rate Dropped

Colombia crime rate dropped
Colombia, a city that is struck by drug trafficking, gangs, and violent crimes has dropped its crime rate by 25%(in the cities) in a week. President Juan Manuel Santos said, "In the first week we have achieved a reduction in crime of 25% in the past years." Colombian police taken out 4 organizations that does mostly phone theft. 7 Drug trafficking rings and 17 gangs that do armed robbery. The Colombian police allegedly seized 216 weapons.
I think its great that the crime rate dropped by 25%. Being able to catch 17 gangs is very impression to me. These are big named gangs, they are big gangs and being able to stop them and some other one is a big deal for Colombia.

•Why do you think people steal?
•Do you think the drugs usage will drop.

Link:
http://colombiareports.co/crime-colombia-cities-dropped-25-1-week-santos/

Berbers protest in Algeria

The article says that there was about 300 Algerian police officials that marched the streets of Algeria to stop protest for the bad working conditions and the conflict between the Berbers and the Arabs.The minimum wage in Algeria is 90 US dollars a month, and the average amount of work a week is 40 hours. It in not unusual for these protests to happen but it is unusual for it to be security officials. The Berbers are natives of North Africa, but the Arabs are migrants to most of North Africa and the Middle East. The Berbers are oppressed and segregated and given not the same rights, they have started protesting and the Algerians have joined them in protest. They were protesting the conflict because in the 1990s there was a war between the Islamic militias and Algeria with a casualty if about 200,000 people. Also in the recent months there has been more conflict and fights between Arabs and Berbers. 

Analysis: I think that the police should not have stopped the protesting. The Berbers have a right to protest their bad working conditions and pay, they also have a right to protest their conflict with the Arabs. They Berbers should not be punished for vocalizing what they believe. 

If you were a Berber in Algeria how would you handle how you were being treated?                            

                                                            OR

If you were a police officer how would you handle all the protests?    

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/14/us-algeria-violence-idUSKCN0I317E20141014

Russian Submerine in Swedish waters?

In the Baltic region. The latest sign of military tension is a submarine spotted in Swedish waters. This submarine has been thought to be Russian. This sub is also thought to have nuclear weapons.
I think that the Swedes might be overreacting about this whole mess. It might not even be a sub. If you think about it though. I would also be overreacting about a submarine in Swedish waters if i was part of the Swedish government.
If you were the leader of Sweden, would you be reacting like the Swedish government?
If you were part of the Russian government, would you deny that the submarine was part of Russia or not?

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/22/world/europe/submarine-search-near-stockholm-reminiscent-of-a-cold-war-thriller.html?_r=0

Protest aganist Muslim extremism in by Neo Nazis in germany

In the article Rally against Islamic extremism turns violent in Germany http://www.smh.com.au/world/rally-against-islamic-extremism-turns-violent-in-germany-20141027-11c7zi it talks about how a protest by far right, Neo Nazi hooligan football scene which basically means it was organized by racist white supremacists who are violent and they pursue oppression for other races and/or religions. The protest was against Muslim extremists in Germany. The protest became violent and it resulted in a few people being injured including a police officer. This made the protest violent so the police decided to use mace and other non lethal ways of deterrent to calm down the protest.

I think that the protest was not smart in the first place because not all Muslims extremists are dangerous this means that these people believe in Islam totally and fully. I think it is wrong to persecute a certain religion based on what a some of the members of the religion have done, but the Neo Nazis believe that the Muslims should be oppressed because they are dangerous. When that is not entirely true about the whole community. All the protestors, did not help their cause by causing violence and injuries that hurt themselves and the police.
1.Do you think that the more people in Germany will join the anti Muslim cause.
                                      OR
2.           Why should or shouldn't they join the anti Muslim cause.

33 Security Personnel Killed in Egypt

                                                         33 Security Personnel Killed

Egypt had two terroristic outbreak in Sinai Peninsula that got 33 security personnel killed. In the first attack, which was made by blowing up two armored vehicles with heavy load in them, 30 security personnel  got murdered. In the second outbreak, which was made by shooting the personnel, 3 got killed security personnel. The president of Egypt, Abdel El Sisi,  is very concerned about this terroristic attacks, encouraging police and military service to find guilty terrorists.
In my opinion Abdel could have joined more forces together to find terrorists, but there is still war on the edge of Egypt. All military forces are centered near Gaza Strip, which makes it hard to arrest the guilty. Also if soldiers were better trained and security itself was better than nothing like that would have happened.
Questions: Did Abdel Sisi make a right decision of making a lot of military officers search for those terrorists, while Gaza Strip is dying? or Do you think that this terrorist attack is a catalyst for something bigger than just 33 killed?
Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/24/us-egypt-sinai-idUSKCN0ID1BZ20141024

Germany is supporting the kurds

Summary: German soldiers have started to train the kurds to help kurdistan defend against IsIs. The kurds have never been able to afford any weapons, which is why they are being given €70 million worth of helmets,  assault rifles, pistols, and tents and are being trained by the german military. And considering that they have been given 24,000 fire arms they mean business and they want to get isis about of there country.

Analysis: i think it is good that Germany is directly helping countries that cannot help themselves and personally training them to defeat people that mean harm to     Them. And I also love the fact that they are supporting the kurdish malitia to attack isis in Iraq.


Questions:
1. Do you think Germany should be helping the kurds defeat isis?
2. Do you think Germany should be using this much money on weapons instead of other things?

Article: http://www.thelocal.de/20141006/german-soldiers-begin-training-kurdish-peshmerga-iraq-isis-islamic-state-bundeswehr